Target trap with friction-reducing target holder



v. F. DALE 3,368,542

TARGET TRAP WITH FRICTION-REDUCING TARGET HOLDER Feb. 13, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 20, 1965 INVENTOR. VERNON F. DALE Feb. 1968 v. F. DALE 3,368,542

TARGET TRAP WITH FRICTION-REDUCING TARGET HOLDER Filed Oct. 20, 1965 3 she ets sheet 5 I! v y- \m w 'A m '82 .1 1& L

80 INVENTOR r "venom-20144.5

a2 7 BY j 62 mam Arffomvsvs United States Patent 3,368,542 TARGET TRAP WITH FRICTION-REDUCING TARGET HOLDER Vernon F. Dale, Onalaska, -Wis. 54650 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 446,534, Apr. 8, 1965. This application Oct. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 505,582

11 Claims. (Cl. 124-8) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A target trap having a trigger operazted rot-atalble arm provided with adjustable guide means oooperable with a target for projecting the target, the guide means and throwing arm being formed to support the target at two spaced portions thereof.

The present application is a continuation inpart of application, Ser. No. 446,534, filed April 8, 1965, now albandoned.

Background Target throwing machines, or target traps as they are commonly called, are used by hunters and other sportsment to throw or project frangible aerial targets, such as Blue Rock or clay pigeons, into the air to be destroyed by gunfire. In some instances as for beginners and for instructional purposes, it is often desirable to propel the targets in smooth level flight and at a constant speed to thereby provide a fairly easy target. On the other hand, however, in order to provide a more severe test for the skill of the marksman, it is desirable to project the targets in different directions, diverse flight paths, and at varying speeds.

Summary It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improved target throwing machine which is capable of projecting targets either with a relative constancy of direction, speed and flight path or with a variance in any or all of direction, speed, and flight path.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved target throwing machine which is capable of safely and effectively projecting targets with a high degree of variation in direction, speed, and flight pattern under the control of an operator.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved low cost target throwing machine which may be readily manipulated by a novice and which is capable of throwing targets a greater distance than has heretofore been possible with devices in the same low cost field.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved target trap which may be simply and easily adjusted in a rapid manner without need for special tools to thereby provide the desired constancy or variance in the above mentioned factors affecting the throwing of targets.

Another object of this invention is to provide a target throwing machine which is simple and inexpensive in construction, which is highly flexible in its adaptations, and whch is moreover capable of substantially trouble-free operation over a substantial period of time.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description, taken together with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the several views.

The drawings Referring to the drawings: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a typical target throwing machine embodying the features of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the target trap of FIGURE 1 with the throwing arm thereof in cocked condition;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary bottom view of the target trap;

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the device taken from the rear of the cocked throwing arm;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view through the throwing arm taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG- URE l but showing another embodiment of the target trap of the present invention in which a throwing arm of somewhat different construction is utilized;

FIGURE 7 is a side view of the throwing arm employed in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG- URE 6, showing the guide rail in one of its positions of adjustment;

FIGURE 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the throwing arm taken along line 88 of FIGURE 7; and

FIGURE 9 is an end view of the throwing arm taken from the right end of the throwing arm as viewed in FIG- URE 7.

Detailed description In the drawings, the target trap or throwing machine of the present invention is designated generally by the numeral 1. The machine as shown includes a base member 3 having mounting feet or brackets 4 depending from one end thereof. These feet 4 are used to secure the target throwing machine to the ground with the aid of a suitable foundation 2. The base 3 is pivotally secured to the feet 4 by a pivot pin or bolt 6 to permit angular adjustment thereof about the horizontal pivot axis. The other end of of base 3 contains a mounting for the throwing arm which includes a sleeve 8 secured thereto and having a collar portion 9 projecting upwardly therefrom.

The throwing arm 13, as illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 5, includes a flat base member 15 having a bearing plate 17 or the like depending from one end thereof. Secured to and projecting from the plate 17 is a shaft 19 adapted for journalling in the sleeve 8 whereby the throwing arm is swingably supported relative to the base 3. The shaft 19 is suitably retained in the bearing sleeve 8 by a washer 20 and a cotter pin 22. An arcuate slot 14 is formed in the upper wall of the base member 3 outwardly of the collar portion 9 of the sleeve 8, and a rod 21 is also fastened to the bearing plate 17 so as to extend through the arcuate slot 14. The base 15 of the arm also contains a plurality of apertures 16 therein to minimize wind resistance and turbulence, and a vertical flange 23 containing elongated apertures 25 extends along one edge of the base portion 15.

A channel-shaped guide 27 is adjustably mounted on the flange or flanges 23 by means of machine screws or bolts 28 and wing nuts 29 or the like carried by the guide member and extending through the elongated holes or slots 25. The member 27 guides the target or clay pigeon as it is projected from the throwing arm 15 by a swinging action, and to assist in such function, the upper portion 30 of the channel 27 contains .a rubber strip 29' mounted on the under side thereof. Also, in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 5, the lower flange of channel 27 is shown as being bent downwardly along its outer free edge portion 32 toward the base member 15 for cooperation therewith in properly seating the target as it is guided by the member 27, and the base member 15 is formed with a trigger catch 31 extending beyond its end remote from its pivot mounting. v

A link 33 encircles the depending rod 21 within the confines of the base 3, the rod 21 being preferably encircled by a bearing ring 35 to allow the link 33 to rotate freely thereon. Link 33 may be retained on the rod 21 in any suitable manner as by a washer and cotter pin (not shown), and the shank of link 33 is connected to one end of a spring 21 which is stretched between link 33 and a tension adjusting turnbuckle 43. Turnbuckle 43 is comprised of threaded shaft 45 provided with an eye 46 for receiving the other end of the spring 41 while a washer 47 and wingnut 49 threaded on the shaft 45 coact with the rear wall of the base.3 for controlling adjustment of the threaded shaft 45 and the tension of spring 41.

A cocking lever or trigger 51 extends through the top wall of the base 3 to engage the catch 31 when the throwing arm 13 is in its cocked position. Cooking lever 51 is preferably spring loaded into a position to engage the cocking catch 31, and the throwing arm 13 is released merely by moving the upper part of the lever or trigger 51 rearward as by means of a cord or lanyard 55.

The operation of the target throwing arm is as follows. The tension on spring 41 is adjusted by rotating wingnut 49 to extend or retract threaded shaft 45. The tension adjustment determines the speed and distance of flight of the target. The position of guide member 27 is adjusted by means of wingnuts 29 extending through the slots 25 on flange 23. For example, if it is desired to project the target in a high and looping flight the channel 27 may be set as high as possible at its outer end on flange 23. In the alternative, the end of the guide member 27 nearest to the trigger catch 31 may be elevated with the opposite end lowered in which case the bird will follow a different flight pattern, and if it is desired to project the target in a flat and relatively straight flight, channel 27 may be set in its lowermost position along flange 23.

The direction, height and distance at which the thrown target will be projected is additionally determined by the angle at which the base 3 is adjusted about the pivot 6 and relative to the mounting feet 4 and by the position in which the bird is placed along the length of the guide member 27. The latter determines at what point in the rotary path of the throwing arm 13 the target will leave the arm as it is swung about the axis of the shaft 19. The further away from the trigger catch 31 the target is placed, the more complete will be the rotation of the throwing arm 13 before the target is projected and vice versa.

After the above adjustments have been made, the throwing arm 13 is cocked by rotating it clockwise, as viewed in FIGURE 2, so that catch 31 engages trigger or cocking lever 51. The target 53 is then placed in the throwing machine 1 by positioning its edge in the guide member 27 at the desired location and resting the target on base member 15.

When it is desired to project the target 53, the trigger 51 is moved rearward in a direction away from the throwing arm by pulling the cord 55, thus disengaging the trigger from the catch 31. This allows the throwing arm to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction by action of the spring 41. The centrifugal force applied to the target 53 thereby causes it to move along channel 27 and imparts a stabilizing rotation thereto while guiding it initially in its trajectory. The target is thus projected as it leaves the end of the throwing arm 13.

The rotation imparted to the target by the guide member 27 during launching stabilizes the target during flight so that the action of the target may more accurately be controlled by the other adjustments to the throwing machine 1. The apertures 16 serve to minimize wind resistance while permitting relatively free flow of air under and around the target during launching and thereby also aids in stabilizing the target before and during the actual throwing operation.

The embodiment of the target trap as shown in FIG- URES 6 through 9 employs a throwing arm 60 of somewhat dilferent construction than that shown in FIGURES 1 through 5. However, since the remaining portions of the target trap are identical in construction and the operation of both embodiments are the same, like elements of both embodiments are referred to by similar reference characters. Also, the description of the general structure and operation hereinabove set forth applies in like manner to the device as shown in all of the views.

The modified throwing arm 60 also includes a generally flat base member 62 for mounting the arm 60 on the throwing machine 1 in the same manner as the throwing arm 13 of the embodiment of FIGURE 1. Base 62 likewise preferably contains a plurality of apertures 16 to minimize wind resistance and turbulence.

The rear or trailing edge of base 62 is also formed with a substantially vertical flange 64 containing elongated adjustment slots 66. A channel shaped guide 68 is similarly adjustably mounted on the flange 64 as by means of bolts 70 extending through slots 66 for receiving wing nuts 72 or the like. The guide 68 includes an upper flange portion 74 which may likewise be provided with a rubber strip 76 mounted thereon to assist in positioning and guiding the target during launching.

However, in this embodiment, the lower flange portion 78 of the guide member 68 is formed in a manner whereby it may be adjusted to substantially rest upon the base 62 along the rear edge thereof when the guide 68 is positioned in its lowermost position, the downwardly bent outer portion 32 of the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 5 having been eliminated. Conversely, the lower flange 78 of the guide member 68 is inclined upwardly from its trailing edge to its leading edge as shown to thereby provide a single line support at the edge 69 for the target 53.

Additionally, the forwardly presented or leading edge 80 of base 62 is directed upwardly as by bending the outer portion 82 at an acute angle. In the alternative, the entire base 62 may be upwardly inclined from its junction with flange 64 to its leading edge 80 or the extreme leading edge thereof may be bent perpendicular to the remainder of base 62. In any event, the leading edge 80 of the base also provides a single linear point support for the target 53, as shown, so that the target is supported only along the parallel edges 69, 80 to minimize friction losses.

In other words, the leading edge 80 of the base member 62 and the leading edge 69 of the guide member flange 78 provide spaced supports for the target 53 along two parallel linear planes. These planes also parallel the longitudinal axis of base 62 so as to maintain this support during the entire launching operation. It may be appreciated, that by supporting the target 53 at two linear points in the manner described, the friction between target 53 and throwing arm 60 is minimized, thus providing an increased range for the target while also increasing the potential speed thereof.

An increased variety of flight paths is also made available by the use of the throwing arm 60. Through adjustment of guide 68, the target 53 may be positioned so that it is parallel to base 62, tilted rearwardly toward the guide 68, or tilted forwardly toward the leading edge 80. Specifically, FIGURE 8 shows the guide 68 in its lowermost position allowing the target 53 to tilt rearwardly, and by progressively raising the guide 68, the target 53 may be supported parallel to base 62, or supported so that it tilts outwardly toward the leading edge 80. Each of the above described positions of the target 53 on the throwing arm 60 results in a different flight path for the target when launched. Further, and as shown in FIGURE 9, one or the other end of the guide 68 may be raised or lowered to form still further variations to the flight path of target 53 launched from throwing arm 60.

It will be appreciated that the above target trap or throwing machine provides for the control of, and the variance in, substantially all of the factors affecting the projection of the target. These factors include speed, distance, direction and flight path. They are controlled and varied by adjusting one or more of the tensions on spring 45, the positioning of the target on the throwing arm 13, position of target guiding channel 27, and the position of base 3 on mounting feet and all of the above may be easily adjusted to provide such control.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention:

I claim:

1. A target throwing device comprising:

a base,

a shaft journalled for rotation in said base;

a throwing arm mounted on said shaft for rotation relative to said base, said throwing arm comprising,

a base member, and

a target guide cooperatively associated with said base member, said guide having means providing a linear edge for supporting a first portion only of a target, said base member having means defining a linear edge for supporting a second portion only of the target remote from said guide; and means for swinging said throwing arm to project said target.

2. A target throwing device according to claim 1, wherein the target guide extends longitudinally of the base member and is mounted for vertical adjustment on said base member for supporting the first portion only of the target at different selected heights.

3. A target throwing device according to claim 2, wherein the target guide is channel shaped and said target guide linear edge is defined by one of the opposed sides of the channel.

4. A target throwing device according to claim 2, Wherein one of the longitudinal edges of the base member is provided with an upstanding flange, and the target guide is adjustably secured to said flange at longitudinally spaced points for varying the height of the supporting edge for the first portion only of the target.

5. A target throwing device according to claim 4, wherein the adjustable securement is defined by longitudinally spaced elongated slots and bolts carried by the target guide and extending through the slots for receiving adjustment nuts.

6. A target throwing device according to claim 1, wherein said base member linear edge is defined by an upwardly angled portion of said base member.

7. A target throwing device according to claim 6, wherein the target guide has a lower target supporting flange defining said target guide linear edge, and said guide is adjustable relative to the base member from a position wherein the linear edge of the supporting flange is below the linear edge of said base member to a position wherein said target guide linear edge of the supporting flange is located above said linear edge of the base mem ber.

8. A target throwing machine according to claim 7, wherein the guide is independently vertically adjustable at longitudinally spaced localities for varying the angle of inclination of the target guide linear edge.

9. A target throwing device according to claim 1, wherein the base member of the throwing arm is perforated over substantially its entire area.

10. A target throwing machine according to claim 1, wherein the target guide is vertically adjustable relative to the base member and the linear edges of both the base member and the guide are defined by lower target supporting flanges which are upwardly directed at their leading edges respectively to provide for the support of the first and second portions only of the target.

11. A target throwing machine according to claim 1,

wherein the target guide is vertically adjustable relative to the base member and is formed with a downwardly directed marginal edge portion, the intersection between said downwardly directed portion and the target guide defining said target guide linear edge.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,193,266 3/1940 Betts 124-8 2,925,077 2/ 1960 Luebkeman 12 L-8 2,980,095 4/1961 Hoag 1248 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. F. BARRY SHAY, Examiner.

W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner. 

